Choosing a Solid State Class A/B integrated amp


I have been committed to Integrated amps for over 10 years and have had a few, mainly Class a tube amps. I love what tubes, SET amps in particular, have to offer. The speed , mid range clarity and neutrality, can be pretty addictive. I have 2 integrated amps I use at the moment,both excellent, an Ayon Spark 20 watt SET and 50 watt hybrid Class A Pathos Inpol2.

The rest of the system is:
Mac Mini into an Ayre QB9 DAC for digital
TW Accustic Raven one/Ortofon 309D arm/Benz Micro LP cartridge
Daedalus DA-RMA speakers

Music choice is pretty eclectic, classical,Jazz,blues, singer Songwriter, not much rock, as such.

The system is great, but I know Lou at Daedalus likes higher ouput amps, particularly Modwright, despite his speakers being high sensitivity, so I would like to swap one of my amps for a higher output SS, or tube unit. .

My only exposure to a Class A/B SS integrated, was not a success. I tried the Karan K180 integrated and found it dull, slow and lifeless in my system, despite it's good reputation. Likewise, I have'nt often enjoyed the higher output push/pull tube units I have heard.

Any suggestions then for an integrated amp under $10000 new, though I would probably buy it cheaper, second hand. My ideal would be a Dartzeel H8550, which I have loved, every time I have heard it, but it's too expensive for me, even second hand. The new Modwright K200, is an obvious candidate. The reviews say is it is on the warm side of neutral, which I would like, but I have'nt heard it.

Give me some suggestions guys, thanks
david12
Agree with Unsound, the Pass 30 watt(class A) amplifier has more juice and drive ability than some people recognize. It has considerable reserve.
Regards,
As Charles1dad says, the idea of warm syrupy, sluggish tube amps is a bit behind the times. I find it is more likely to be true for Push/pull amps than SETs and there lies my problem. SETs punch above their weight in speaker grip, but still a 20 watt SET is unlikely to really control an 88db standmount, with impedence dropping to 2 or 3 ohms.

There are, I am sure, fast higher output tube amps that don't cost the earth, I have'nt found one.
David12 wrote "with impedance dropping to 2 or 3 ohms"
It seems this particular speaker was designed and meant to be driven by solid state amplifiers.It would`nt surprise me if the phase angles are a bit high(not ideal for tube amps either).
Regards,
Unsound, Charles1dad:

I own the Pass INT-30 (marketed as as class A, compared to the AB INT-150). It is a very smooth and natural sounding amp.

But if David12 is looking for significantly more grunt than his current 20 and 50 wpc channel specimens provide, as his post suggests, I doubt it is the amp for him.

Last night I compared the Pass to the 200 wpc BMC C-1 on the 90db (and excellent) Vapor Joule. Ryan and I (the Vapor owner/designer) both thought the BMC had considerably more punch and energy on the attack with those speakers.

Again, the INT-30A is lovely, but I continue to think a more powerful solid state specimen -- such as the Modwright stuff Daedalus tends to show with -- might make a more gratifying contrast with David's current amplification.

Best,

John